According to a report by Mark Gurman, a well-known reporter for Bloomberg, Meta is actively expanding in the wearable device hardware field and plans to launch several innovative products in the coming years, aiming to expand the smart glasses market and strengthen its competition with rivals such as Apple.
First, Meta plans to launch its highly anticipated Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses (codenamed Supernova) in more countries. These glasses have garnered significant attention since their launch, with their unique design and smart features offering users a completely new wearing experience. Furthermore, Meta plans to extend this technology to other brands under EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban's parent company, namely Oakley. The base model, the Oakley Sphaera (project codenamed Supernova 2), will be designed for cyclists and other sports enthusiasts, with the camera moved from the corner to the center of the frame, and is expected to be released in 2025.
In addition to the Oakley Sphaera, Meta also plans to launch a high-end product codenamed Hypernova. These glasses resemble the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in appearance but offer more powerful features. A display screen is located below the right lens, capable of showing simple applications, smartphone notifications, and photos taken with the glasses. It is rumored that this wearable device will cost around $1,000, more than three times the price of the cheapest version of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
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To enhance the user experience, Meta is also testing a wristband device, codenamed Ceres, for controlling the Hypernova. If this wristband fails testing, users can still control the Hypernova via touch input on the temples of their glasses. In addition, Meta is developing a smartwatch that can be used with the Hypernova and display photos taken with the glasses. This smartwatch is expected to be released in 2025, if Meta decides to commercialize it.
In the area of AR technology, Meta plans to begin providing developers with the Orion prototype starting in 2026 so they can build and test their software. However, Meta does not intend to commercialize this prototype. Instead, they plan to release a consumer-facing product (codenamed Artemis) in early 2027. This wearable device is expected to be more technologically advanced and lighter than Orion.
In addition, Meta is also developing a competitor to AirPods, featuring a built-in camera and AI capabilities. Although still in early development, the launch of this product will further enrich Meta's wearable device product line and provide users with more choices.
It's worth noting that Gurman's report made no mention of the Meta Quest branded headset. This might indicate that Meta has shifted its focus towards smart glasses and AR technology, or that they are making deeper preparations for future headset products.
